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H5N1 Information for Zoologic Gardens and Other Animal Exhibitors

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In Illinois, there have been detections of avian influenza H5N1 in poultry, wild birds, an opossum, and zoologic animals. In other states, avian influenza H5N1 has been found in these species as well as in dairy cattle, domestic cats, and other wild mammals. Illinois animal exhibitors must be aware of the risk of avian influenza H5N1 in their collections and take steps to mitigate this risk to their animals, staff, and visitors during this period of heightened viral transmission.

Animals housed outside or in open enclosures and animals fed raw food diets are considered at an increased risk for avian influenza H5N1.

Clinical signs of avian influenza H5N1 in animals include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Low appetite
  • Reddened or inflamed eyes
  • Discharge from the eyes and nose
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Neurologic symptoms, like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness

Reporting

Veterinarians are required to report any suspect avian influenza H5N1 cases in poultry and livestock to the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA).

Information from IDOA can be found here

Zoo personnel should also report animals suspected of having avian influenza H5N1 to the IDOA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It is also important to notify your local health department so they can review any possible human exposures. Exposed persons will need to be monitored for 10 days for symptoms.

Protecting Staff and Visitors from Avian Influenza H5N1

Veterinary and animal care staff should familiarize themselves with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations to reduce the risk of infection for people who are working with or exposed to possibly infected animals.

Plan

Consider which animals and enclosures within the collection are at the highest risk for influenza exposure and transmission. Take measures to discourage wild animals, especially migratory and water birds, from congregating near or within the facility. Sources of food and water that may attract wild animals should be specifically considered.

Protect

Ensure that staff are aware of the risks, signs, and symptoms of avian influenza H5N1 and are vigilant for signs of disease in the animals. Report any suspicions of avian influenza H5N1 in the animal collection to the IDOA. Considerations should be made for humane euthanasia vs. ongoing supportive care with the needed staff precautions in the event that avian influenza H5N1-positive animals are identified. Only certain staff should be designated to work with potentially sick animals. These staff should be:

  • Provided and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Trained in the proper use of PPE.
  • Trained on the symptoms of avian influenza H5N1 in humans.
  • Not a person at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with avian influenza H5N1. The individuals at higher risk are those who are 65 years of age or older and those with underlying chronic medical conditions.

Veterinarians and staff working with animals suspected of having avian influenza H5N1 should closely adhere to the CDC’s recommendations for PPE. They should report any breaches of PPE to their local health department as these staff members will need to undergo formal symptom monitoring for avian influenza H5N1. The upper limit of the incubation period for transmission of avian influenza H5N1 is 10 days from the exposure, so symptom monitoring and contact with the local health department will extend 10 days from the person’s last potential exposure to avian influenza H5N1 virus.

Mitigate

In the event that avian influenza H5N1-positive animals are cared for within the collection, these animals should be physically separated from all other animals, placed off display and away from any possible zoo visitors, and cared for only by a small, dedicated team of highly trained staff in full PPE. Food, water, and medical/husbandry supplies should be separated for these animals only, and considerations should be made for airflow handling within the facility.

Staff working with sick animals should practice enhanced biosafety with their uniforms, ideally leaving their work clothes at work or changing them in the garage or mud room of their home to limit household exposures to potential pathogens. Staff working with known positive animals should contact their local health department to set up formal, confidential symptom monitoring.

Testing of Animals for Avian Influenza H5N1

If a veterinarian suspects avian influenza H5N1 in an animal within the collection, they should alert the Illinois Department of Agriculture and USDA and submit clinical samples directly to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Urbana. A fee is associated with this testing.

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